Australia's Airport Strike Week: What the Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin and Sydney Security Walkouts Mean for Travelers

Australian aviation is running through its worst week of labor disruption in years. On September 24, 2026, hundreds of Qantas ground and freight workers began a 24-hour strike at Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth; around 400 Sydney Airport security screeners staged two separate stoppages; Jetstar ground staff at seven airports finished a two-day protected action; and Virgin Australia is still recovering from crew shortages that reportedly cancelled up to 30 flights. Most mainline flights are operating, but queues, freight backlogs and knock-on delays are real, and more action is scheduled for Monday, September 28.

What Happened on September 24

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026 · Airports hit: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth · Workers involved: Several hundred ground, freight and security staff

The Transport Workers' Union (TWU) confirmed that employees of Qantas subsidiaries Qantas Ground Services (QGS) and Australian airExpress (AAE), plus some QantasLink baggage handlers in Sydney, walked off for 24 hours, according to a Reuters report. At the same time, Certis-employed security screeners at Sydney Airport held a 7:30–9:30 a.m. stoppage with a second one scheduled for 6–8 p.m. Planned action at Melbourne was postponed, Karryon reported, narrowing the footprint to four capital-city airports.

Which Flights Are Actually Affected

Qantas mainline: Operating normally · QantasLink: Sydney only at risk · Freight: Significant delays

Qantas told the ABC that the striking employees "do not service Qantas Domestic or Qantas International flights or QantasLink outside of Sydney," and that contingency plans were in place. The practical exposure for passengers sits in two places: QantasLink regional services through Sydney, where a single cancellation can strand travelers in small communities with few daily frequencies, and anyone departing Sydney during the two security stoppage windows.

If you are not flying through Sydney or on QantasLink, the Qantas ground strike is unlikely to touch your trip directly. Everyone else should check the Qantas travel updates page before leaving for the airport.

Sydney Airport Security Screeners: The Bigger Passenger Bottleneck

Workers: About 400 Certis screeners · Strike vote: 99% in favor · Next stoppage: Monday, September 28 (three hours)

For most travelers, the screening stoppages matter more than the Qantas walkout because every departing passenger passes through security regardless of airline. Australian Aviation reported that 99% of balloted workers voted for protected action, and that Sydney Airport rostered extra staff in baggage rooms and terminals as a contingency. One passenger told the ABC she had been in line for about 30 minutes on Thursday morning, and the airport's advice is simple: allow extra time and watch for airline messages.

Why screeners are striking

The TWU says years of contract uncertainty have pushed screeners into part-time work and drained experience, and it points to Sydney Airport's reported aeronautical profit of $584.3 million in 2024-25. Certis counters that its Sydney pay rates are "materially above" the industry award and among the highest for comparable roles in Australia. The union has also criticized the use of untrained casual staff to cover lanes during the stoppages.

The Qantas Ground Dispute: Pay, Hours and a Fragmented Workforce

Ballot result: 344 yes, 8 no (97.7%) · Workers covered: About 650 across QGS and AAE · Core issues: Pay, guaranteed hours, safety

The ballot authorized up to ten types of protected action, per a summary of the Fair Work Commission ballot, so Thursday's walkout may not be the last. TWU Queensland's Josh Millroy said many workers have only 15 guaranteed hours per week and accused Qantas of using subsidiaries to "suppress the wages and conditions" of staff doing closely related work.

Why this dispute runs deeper than a pay round

The backdrop is Qantas's 2020 outsourcing of about 1,800 ground-handling jobs, which Australia's High Court found unlawful and which led to a $120 million settlement in December 2024. The TWU also cites the death of a Qantas Freight worker on Father's Day last year as evidence of safety failings. Qantas says it remains committed to an agreement that delivers annual pay rises and more full-time jobs.

Freight and Parcels: Where the Damage Is Concentrated

Affected shippers: Australia Post, FedEx, UPS · Hardest hit: Brisbane · Consumer impact: Parcel delays of a day or more

At Brisbane, the strikers were "predominantly freight workers," the TWU told the ABC, with trucks "barely leaving the gate" and cargo not being unloaded from aircraft. If you are shipping documents, medication or time-sensitive items domestically this week, assume air-freight delays and consider road courier alternatives for anything that can't wait.

Jetstar: A Strike Where Passengers Might Save Money

Dates: September 23–24 · Airports: Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Adelaide · Flights: Running to schedule

Australian Services Union members employed directly by Jetstar staged an unusual form of protected action: rather than walking off, staff on shift stopped collecting excess-baggage charges, seat-change fees, late fees and other sales transactions, the Central Western Daily reported. Wego's breakdown notes this is a staff decision rather than an official Jetstar policy, so the waivers were never guaranteed, and normal fees return Friday, September 25.

What the union wants

The ASU is seeking pay that closes the gap with other Qantas Group employees, better early-morning shift penalties and overtime, improved sick leave, extreme-heat protections and stronger redundancy terms. Jetstar says it continues to meet with the union.

Virgin Australia's Crew Shortage

Cancellations: Up to 30 flights over one weekend · Cause: Last-minute sick calls and crew declining days off · Negotiations: FAAA and TWU enterprise agreement

Virgin's disruption isn't a declared strike, but it stems from the same pressures. Paddle Your Own Kanoo first reported that cabin crew were calling in sick and declining to work on rostered days off, and Aviation A2Z detailed union complaints about fatigue, long duty periods and crew being required to clean cabins between sectors. Virgin says September is its busiest month outside Christmas, driven by spring school holidays and extra services for the AFL and NRL finals, and that it has added aircraft and crew to cope.

Why It's All Happening at Once

School holidays: Queensland, Victoria and NT this week; NSW from September 28 · Sports: AFL and NRL finals · Pattern: Unions timing action for peak demand

Protected industrial action in Australia is most effective when demand peaks, and late September stacks spring school holidays on top of football finals traffic. The TWU has been explicit that the timing is deliberate. The result is a cluster of separate disputes at different employers that land on the same terminals in the same week.

Air traffic control is also under strain

Airservices Australia is trialling 300% overtime pay (up from 190%) for controllers who pick up extra shifts during the September/October break, Australian Aviation reported, which works out to roughly $200 to $400 an hour depending on grade. The move follows data showing Sydney ground delay minutes ran almost 40% above average in August.

Your Rights If a Flight Is Cancelled or Delayed in Australia

Legal basis: Australian Consumer Law · Fixed cash compensation: None · Main remedies: Refund, rebooking, or remedy for a "major failure"

Unlike the EU or UK, Australia has no aviation-specific law that pays a set amount for delays. Instead, the ACCC's guidance explains that consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law require services to be delivered with due care and within a reasonable time, and that airline terms can't override those guarantees. Qantas publishes its own summary of your rights under the ACL.

What's changing

The federal government's aviation reforms include a customer rights charter and an independent airline ombudsman scheme, with refunds going back to the original payment method rather than into travel credits, CHOICE reports. Americans used to US rules should note that the US framework is also shifting, as covered in our breakdown of the new DOT rule on airline delay compensation.

What International Visitors Should Do This Week

Arrive early: At least 30–60 extra minutes at Sydney · Buffer connections: Avoid tight international-to-domestic transfers · Document everything: Keep receipts and airline messages

If you're arriving in Sydney on a long-haul flight and connecting onward on QantasLink or Virgin, a three-hour buffer is safer than the standard minimum connection time this week. Travelers on nonrefundable itineraries should check whether their policy covers strike-related disruption, since many exclude industrial action announced before the policy was bought; our guide to the best travel insurance for international trips covers what to look for.

What Happens Next

Next confirmed date: Monday, September 28 (Sydney security, three hours) · Qantas talks: Continuing through the Fair Work Commission · Virgin: Enterprise agreement negotiations ongoing

The Sydney screening stoppage on September 28 lands on the first day of the NSW school holidays, making it the next pressure point, and no further Jetstar dates had been announced as of Thursday. Labor unrest is not unique to Australia this autumn: similar walkouts have hit airports in Italy and France and nearly grounded Air Canada Express earlier this month.

People also ask

Is Qantas on strike today?

Qantas pilots and cabin crew are not on strike. On September 24, 2026, workers at Qantas subsidiaries Qantas Ground Services and Australian airExpress, plus some QantasLink baggage handlers in Sydney, held a 24-hour strike at Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Qantas says mainline domestic and international flights are unaffected.

Are flights cancelled because of the Sydney Airport strike?

No widespread cancellations were reported on September 24. The main impact at Sydney was longer security queues during two stoppages by roughly 400 Certis screeners, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A further three-hour stoppage is planned for Monday, September 28, the start of NSW school holidays.

Did Jetstar waive baggage fees during the strike?

Some Jetstar ground staff at seven airports said they would not collect excess-baggage, seat-change and late fees on September 23 and 24, 2026, as part of protected action. It was a staff choice, not an official Jetstar policy, so waivers weren't guaranteed. Normal fees resumed on Friday, September 25.

Why did Virgin Australia cancel flights?

Virgin Australia reportedly cancelled up to 30 flights over a recent weekend after cabin crew called in sick at short notice and declined extra shifts. Unions cite fatigue, long duty periods and cabin-cleaning duties. Virgin says September is its busiest month outside Christmas and that it added aircraft and crew to manage demand.

Do I get compensation for a delayed flight in Australia?

Australia has no fixed cash compensation for delays like the EU's EU261 rules. Under the Australian Consumer Law, you may be entitled to a refund, rebooking or other remedy if an airline fails to provide the service with due care or within a reasonable time. The government is introducing an airline ombudsman and customer rights charter.

Should I change my Australia trip because of the strikes?

Most travelers don't need to cancel. Qantas mainline, Virgin and Jetstar flights are largely operating. Allow extra time at Sydney security, avoid tight connections through Sydney on QantasLink or Virgin, and monitor airline apps. Check whether your travel insurance covers industrial action announced before you bought the policy.

When is the next Australian airport strike?

The next confirmed action is a three-hour stoppage by Sydney Airport security screeners on Monday, September 28, 2026. The Qantas ground workers' ballot authorized up to ten types of protected action, so further dates are possible. Jetstar and Virgin Australia negotiations are ongoing, and no new dates had been announced as of September 24.

Facts in this article were checked against current news reports and official sources as of September 24, 2026. Strike schedules change quickly, so confirm with your airline and airport before traveling.